Fun for families at Fountains Abbey

There are acres of space where little legs can explore and imaginations can run riot. You’ll be full of beans but out of puff once you’ve found a cave, a tunnel, and spotted that special bird you’ve never seen before.

Little adventurers can climb higher, go faster and play longer than ever before in the new play area. Not far from the visitor centre explore a mini wooden abbey, a woodland house, swings, scramble nets, a gigantic zip wire and more!

There's lots of fun to be had at Swanley Grange – stop off on your way to the abbey. Get crafting, check out the medieval style vegetable garden and meet the chickens. Find activities in the workshop every day throughout the school holidays too.

Take a left from the visitor centre and follow the path to the bird hide to get ‘twitching’. Record your sightings and find out more about your new feathered friends.

There's plenty of opportunity to check off lots of ‘50 things to do before you’re 11 and ¾’ activities from your list. Explore inside an ancient tree in the deer park, climb a big hill to find the hidden Banqueting House or build the best den ever in the woodland!

Family adventures

Come along to Today’s Story, a family friendly tour, where snippets of history from the abbey and gardens are brought to life in a short half hour walk. Pick up an Autumn Explorer Map and make the most of the crunchy, crackly and colourful nature, and learn all about the nature you can find on the estate.

Wrap up warm and explore the abbey ruins

Chris Lacey

Wildlife Walk
Join this guided walk to find out more about the wildlife and nature on the estate as the season begins to change.

Deer watch
Watch out for the early signs of the rut, right through to later in the season where you may see the clashing of antlers.

Family stargazing
Ever wanted to see a star up close? Moons, star clusters and all kinds of deep sky objects are all up above Fountains Abbey waiting to be spotted by you.

Whether it's swinging from the heights of the wilderness play area you fancy or practicing your angles for one of our digital portraits in the house, we've got everything you need for the perfect family day out at Beningbrough.